I went wheeling today. I have a loud squeeling noise coming from one of my wheels now, maybe a bearing? It didnt start until today after wheeling and I dont know which wheel its coming from i think the rear though. It is a high pitch squeel does not seam to be associated with brakes, although at times it sounds like a worn brake pad grinding on the rotar, but without any pressure on the breaks, but the majority of the time its a loud squeel, slows down as I slow down, and above 55mph its not nearly as bad, if i swerve back and fourth it will squeel. What could this be?
PS... pics here:
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=83529

 

May be debris between the rotor and splash shield. I can't tell you how many times I've had chunks of wood, rocks, and other crap do that. Squeaks like CRAZY.

But my friend with another ranger has never had that happen to him. Depends on the truck i guess, I've picked crap out atleast a dozen times. Atleast now i dont have the splash shields anymore!

 

I just spent the other day cleaning up the aftermath of mudding. I replied in your pic thread. Check your brakes.

 

splash shield + heat shields = Toss 'em!

 

lol, i have never worked on brakes, is it simple? I pull of the wheels and then what?
The brakes feel fine, still have the same stopping power and I don't think it s suspension related because the noise varies with the speed

 

oh and how did you get all that mud out by the way? I spent a good hour underneath with the hose and still mud everywhere

 

You 2wd or 4x4? if you're 2wd, I wouldn't recommend messing with your brakes if you never had. You also need to remove the front wheel bearings and reset the preload. Dangerous if you don't know what you're doing..

 

4x4 my buddy heard it and said its a wheel bearing

 

It could be a wheel bearing if it is contantly squealing or growling. If it stops if you move to the left or right, but continues while straight, then it is a good chance it is a wheel bearing.

Brakes are easy. On the rear, the just the drums off. They should slide off, or you may need to hammer them off. Once the drum is off, just check if there is debris inside and check your wheel cylinder for leaks while you're at it. If it's leaky, the entire inside of the drum will be coated with brake fluid and be a mess.

For the front brakes, it's just 2 bolts that hold the calipers on, and the pads just pop in and out. Very easy stuff.


My method of cleaning under my truck was laying on my back with a flathead screwdriver and wearing a pair of gloves and digging out all the mud and crap by hand. It wasn't fun.

 

4x4 is sooooo easy. Rotors slide on, no wheel bearing removal.

 

mine done that once thought it was a rock but it done it for 2 days took the back drums off and found the problem. the little thing that keeps the adjuster from backing off (dont know the name for it) had come off and gotten stuck between the drum and shoe. took all of that juck off and works great no more noise.

 

ive had the same problem with my truck several times, started while driveing done a gravel road, was a rock pressing against the rotor, easy to get out

 

Wow thats good to know, now when it comes time for break pads I wont have to take it to a shop. I will check it out tomorrow thanks!

 

When the bearings in my front end went, they'd have a sick squeel between like 20- and 60 km/h

 

On the bright side it sounds like a brake issuse not water in the rear. You can do like mikey said or lay on you back with a powerwasher and do it. One more thing is to put a sprinkler under the truck and turn it on before you go to bed. The under carraige should be clean as new in the morning.

 

Doing front brakes on the 4x4's is dead simple. Unbolt the caliper from it's brackets, pop the pads out of the caliper, slide the new ones in and slide the rotor off the hub and slide the new one on. Put everything back together and you're done.

Drums are a little more involved. I personally do not like drum brakes or working with them.

 

Your truck took a s**t did it smell.